You Can Easily Start a Fire with a Battery and Gum Wrapper

Not everyone always has a lighter or matchbook handy, which is why learning how to quickly and creatively start a fire is a good survival tip to know. This unexpected trick allows you to create a flame using only a foil gum wrapper and battery.

First, you make ignitor strips using the wrapper from a stick of gum. Shave a bit off of each of the sides of the wrapper, creating a bridge about 2mm wide in the middle. One strip can yield about three ignitors. Next, find a battery.

AA batteries are best for this, but AAA, C or D will work as well. This trick is great for people who hike or camp and often use battery-powered flashlights.

Carefully hold the ends of the gum wrapper to the ends of your battery. Then, prepare for your wrapper to ignite. Watch how unbelievably fast the foil lights in the demonstration video below.

Wearing gloves while executing this trick is recommended, as the wrapper can get extremely hot. It is also important to have flammable kindling prepared before lighting your flame, because it may burn out very quickly.

So, next time you are in a bind and in need of a makeshift lighter - keep this process in mind. It may just save your backyard bonfire plans, campfire dinner or even your life!